Saturday, June 27, 2009

Harvest Maiden

Here she is - the next maiden I spied in the background texture! Actually, I saw three women in this background. First, right I after I finished it, a woman with a hat more in the middle of the painting. That evening I suddenly saw a very beautiful, heavy-set woman with hat. I was all set to paint her, but when I went to sketch her the next morning, I couldn't see her at all - instead there was this lovely woman.

I don't know what made me think of grapes, but they brought back fond memories from my childhood. When I was younger, we lived in one of the most beautiful wine-producing regions in Germany, and every fall, when the grapes were harvested and pressed, I remember visiting vineyards with my parents and sister, many of the wine festivals, and dinners and celebrations with good friends. We children always got a pitcher filled with freshly-pressed grape juice. Those were some of the best years for my family!!

I painted Harvest Maiden with acrylics on 15 x 22 140lb watercolor paper. I hope you like her as much as I do!

20 comments:

  1. Just beautiful, Silke! I love the colors and the texture. What do you use to make the dots? It's definitely your signature style!

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  2. Oh, so gorgeous! The faces you draw are all different which is quite something. I think it's easier to draw the same again and again yet you challenge yourself to find her and bring her to life each time.
    Such a beautiful profile.
    Jo

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  3. Another lovely piece, I always look forward to seeing what you "see" in your backgrounds. You never let me down. Hope you have a nice weekend.

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  4. She is lovely and I really like how the grapes and leaves add to you painting. Beautiful!!!

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  5. This is a pretty piece. The dot effects almost make it look like she's wearing a veil. I love the grapes and vines. It's so fun to finally see what you "see" in each of your pieces!

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  6. Hi Silke! I love how you see the most beautiful things in your abstract backgound textures. She's lovely!

    Und, ja, die Weinstraße ist wunderschön! Ich wünsche Dir ein schönes Wochenede!
    :0)
    Angela

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  7. Hi Silke, is very beautiful this painting, You always surprise me with what you've seen in your background, you have a lot of imagination. Good for you! Congratulations!

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  8. Hi Silke...this is wonderful and I love that the background inspires the piece...what a great way to be inspired .....I will have to try working on some fun backgrounds and see where it will lead me!!!

    Hugs
    Diana

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  9. Lovely, Silke! I love the way I can see your paintings develop. Beautiful use of colour here!!

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  10. wow amazing!!!! Happy Sunday :))

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  11. Silke, you are a delight!! And I love her

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  12. This is great Silke! I think profiles can be kind of hard and you did fantastic!
    Thanks for stopping by also :)♥

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  13. Hi Silke!
    You are just amazing me with your gorgeous work! This is another wonderful piece! Love the colors & the grapes look just perfect!

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  14. I love how what you see in your paintings changes... just lovely.

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  15. Hi Silke, your grape lady is lovely.
    Amazing what we attach too from our youth.
    Lovely to hear about your love for grapes in your art from your memories.
    I love sunflowers, I saw them in a garden once when I was very little and could not believe my eyes to see the tallest ever flowers that reach to the sky.
    All my love!

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  16. I think my first comment didn't go through...so I'm gonna try again:):)

    oooh I think the painting is LOVELY Silke!
    and I love the meaning behind the grapes. What a special time that must have been with your family:) xoxo...jenn

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  17. Oh, this is so beautiful! It really captures a harvest spirit.

    I really like the grapes. How nice to have lived in a wine producing region! I know a woman who lives in the Chianti district. However, she does not like wine. Personally, I just love wine! :)

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  18. You are so fast...I don't know how you do it! She has so much soul. I haven't been to Germany in a few years. I am hoping to go next October. This year we will be in Ireland. I am sure I will be using lots of green in my work. Kara

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